June is here, and the nursery is buzzing — quite literally. With warmer days, longer evenings, and everything in full leaf, this is the month where landscapes really start to fill out. The perennials are blooming, the grasses are adding height and sway, and the trees? They're soaking up the sunshine and putting on serious growth.
Now that we're well into the season, it's the perfect time to highlight a few plants that are truly hitting their stride this month. From dependable bloomers to foliage that brings bold color and texture, these selections are made to shine in early summer.
Whether you’re adding a pop of color to your beds or thinking about the long game with trees and structure, these four plants are worth a spot on your list. Keep reading to see what’s thriving in June — your yard will thank you.
Happy Returns Daylily
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
Bright, 2.75" canary yellow blooms. One of its parents is 'Stella d'Oro'. Starts blooming very early in the season and, as an excellent rebloomer, reappears off and on throughout the summer. A light fragrance makes this beauty even more special.
Species Specs
Height: 18”
Spread: 14-24”
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Green
Zone: 3-9
Plant Care:
Daylilies are generally easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and offer beautiful blooms. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. Regular watering, especially during hot periods, and deadheading spent blooms are key to maximizing blooms.
Northwind Switchgrass
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
A newer panicum with very sturdy, upright, steel blue stems. Reaches a mature height of 6'. Great in mass plantings or as a single specimen. Discovered by Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm, in WI. Clump forming.
Species Specs
Height: 6’
Spread: 2-3’
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Blue Green
Zone: 4-9
Plant Care:
Northwind switchgrass thrives with minimal care, particularly in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It's a drought-tolerant perennial that can also handle wet conditions once established. Pruning in late winter or early spring to cut back old foliage and fertilizing before new growth begins are the main maintenance needs.
Purple Leaf Sandcherry
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is a beautiful shrub with rich reddish-purple foliage. Its delicate and fragrant light pink flowers are born after the leaves have developed and its foliage emerges fully. Its small blackish-purple fruits appear in July and are enjoyed by birds during the growing season.
Species Specs
Height: 8-10’
Spread: 5-6’
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Rich Purple-Red
Zone: 3-8
Plant Care:
The purple leaf sand cherry needs to be watered regularly and is not drought-tolerant. Typically, one watering per week will suffice, but more may be necessary if you've recently transplanted, are going through a period of hot, dry weather, or the plant is in its first season of growth.
Autumn Blaze Maple
Image source: Bailey Nurseries
Description:
This hybrid of silver and red maple has experienced phenomenal popularity due to its ascending branch habit, rapid growth rate, drought tolerance when established, ability to grow in most soils, beautiful fall color and form. It was selected as the 1997 Iowa Tree of the year.
Species Specs
Height: 50-60’
Spread: 40’
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Rich Green turning to Orange-Red in Fall
Zone: 4-7
Plant Care:
Autumn Blaze maples thrive with consistent care, primarily focusing on watering, fertilization, and appropriate pruning. They require well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, with supplemental watering during dry periods, especially while young. Fertilizing is generally not necessary if the soil is already rich, but if needed, a high-nitrogen fertilizer is recommended. Pruning is minimal, typically only needed to remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood, and is best done during dormancy.